Universities' international collaboration leads to seismic survey in Christchurch

University of Canterbury geologists will be working with four scientists from the University of Calgary’s Consortium for Research in Elastic Wave Exploration Seismology (CREWES) and GNS Science to undertake a seismic reflection survey in Christchurch, beginning this week.  The field survey logistics are being supported by local company Southern Geophysical Ltd. 

The CREWES team have flown 12 tonnes of equipment from Canada to Christchurch to undertake the survey, including a heavy tractor-like buggy which will send a controlled signal into the ground that will allow data about the geometry of the sub-surface strata and selected fault lines to be collected and imaged.

“The seismic survey has the potential to contribute new knowledge that is urgently needed for the rebuilding of the city,” said Professor Jarg Pettinga, Head of the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Canterbury.

Work on the survey is expected to begin late this week, with two seismic lines to be completed in the city. The second part of the survey will take place in early May and is expected to include seismic lines in the Rolleston, Lincoln and Prebbleton areas, focussing on the step-over zone between the Greendale fault and projected location of the Port Hills Fault.

“We were fortunate to have an existing relationship with the University of Calgary and are looking forward to our collaborative research project.”

Professor of Geophysics and Chair in Exploration Geophysics in the Department of Geoscience at the University of Calgary, Professor Don Lawton said that the University of Calgary team was pleased to be able to bring their state-of-the-art equipment to Christchurch for this joint project with the University of Canterbury and GNS Science.   

“Several of our team members are ex-pat kiwis and we were saddened by the many lives lost and devastating damage suffered by the city during the 22 February earthquake.”